While TV shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Daredevil were very loosely tied to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (at this point it seems more likely they were just set in a world very similar to the MCU), DC Comics series like The Flash and Titans take place on their own worlds and aren't tied to the movies in any way.
Last night, the news broke that HBO Max's Peacemaker has added a number of new cast members - including Chris Conrad as Adrian Chase/Vigilante - and The Suicide Squad writer and director James Gunn has now weighed in. The filmmaker will, of course, write and direct (some of) Peacemaker as well, and Gunn was quick to assure fans that the series is set firmly within the DCEU.
"Thanks [HBO Max] for being a great partner so far and letting us do something truly over-the-top," the filmmaker says in the Instagram post below. "And, yes, for those of you asking, this show is connected to the DC film universe. I think we’ll be the first show to air that is."
The Batman is also getting a TV series spinoff, but that movie isn't set in the DCEU, so Peacemaker definitely looks set to make history. We don't know if more casting news is coming, but the John Cena-led show is assembling an incredible ensemble which it's hard not to be excited about.
Check out Gunn's comments below:
Which characters from The Suicide Squad should be next to get their
own HBO Max spinoffs after Peacemaker? Hit the "Next" button to find out!
10. Javelin
This obscure Green Lantern villain is basically just a former Olympic athlete who, uh, throws javelins at superheroes. Of course, you could say the same about Captain Boomerang (albeit with boomerangs), so we're definitely excited to see what Flula Borg does with the character next year.
What makes him deserving of a spinoff? Well, while you'll definitely find other compelling possibilities here, a Javelin series could be a funny, quirky, adventure featuring plenty of big laughs.
Unlike Peacemaster, it probably wouldn't need eight episodes, but as a three or four episode origin story combined with some sort of follow-up to the events of The Suicide Squad, this could work.
9. Rick Flag
Joel Kinnaman impressed in Suicide Squad, but he didn't really get the opportunity to show what he could do as that movie's Rick Flag. The actor has already confirmed that he has more to do in the follow-up, with James Gunn giving him the chance to show his character's humorous side.
Exploring Rick's relationship with Dr. June Moon and the role he plays within A.R.G.U.S. could be a lot of fun, especially if we see him going out and getting his hands dirty recruiting bad guys.
That's a premise with a tonne of potential, though it would be equally as fun to see him butt heads with Amanda Waller and potentially even go on the run from her. Either way, Rick is a character we would love to spend more time with, and a TV series would be the perfect place for that.
8. A.R.G.U.S.
Here's a weird idea for you; an A.R.G.U.S. series focusing on the agents who accompany Task Force X into battle! It can't be easy having to fight alongside some of the world's greatest villains, and following some hapless agents in the field has the potential to be a really cool series.
This wouldn't be that different to The Batman spinoff coming to HBO Max, and could include some A-List cameos as these agents find themselves having to fight for themselves without them.
Amanda Waller factoring into proceedings would make sense, and we're sure a filmmaker like James Gunn could definitely have fun here, likely borrowing more obscure names from the comic books.
7. Bloodsport
This makes sense for a number of reasons, but Idris Elba leading his own spinoff series on HBO Max would be a logical next step for the A-Lister now he's part of the DC Extended Universe.
James Gunn wrote this role specifically for the actor, so we're confident he would enjoy continuing his story on the streaming service. His claim to fame is that he shot Superman, so perhaps one of Henry Cavill's rumoured cameos could be used in this small screen story featuring Bloodsport.
Considering there was a second Bloodsport in the comic books who was a white supremacist, a TV show could even pit Elba's version against him in a series that deals with some hard-hitting topics.
6. Ratcatcher 2
It's clear that James Gunn has big plans for Ratcatcher 2 based on what he's said about the character and some of the rumours we've been hearing, and relative newcomer Daniela Melchior has the opportunity to steal the show here. A newly created villain based on the original Ratcatcher, there's a tonne of different directions a small screen spinoff could ultimately choose to go down.
It would be pretty cool, for example, to see this new Ratcatcher come face to face with her predecessor, a classic Batman baddie who might not be happy about someone ripping off his gimmick.
Alternatively, the show could reveal how he trained her, delving into what led her down a path that ended with a place in the ranks of Task Force X. She's a cool looking character, so fingers crossed.
5. King Shark
We don't know whether King Shark will talk in The Suicide Squad, but assuming he's more than just a mindless beast, the villain could be every bit the highlight here as Groot was in Guardians of the Galaxy.
A series revolving around a CGI character certainly wouldn't be cheap, but it doesn't look like WarnerMedia is skimping on these HBO Max TV shows, and we're sure there's a human side of King Shark that could also be explored. It all boils down to how much personality James Gunn gives him!
Something tells us he will be a breakout character in the movie, so a TV show (probably not as many as eight episodes) could have fun exploring what makes him tick and how he became this hulking beast.
4. Katana
It's true that Katana doesn't appear to be part of The Suicide Squad, but she still worked alongside Task Force X in the first movie and was clearly a complicated character with motivations worth exploring.
What led to her deciding to help Rick Flag in the first movie and what's the deal with that sword of hers? Those are questions a TV show could definitely address, while also picking up with the character after she helped those villains save Midway City in the first instalment of this franchise.
If James Gunn were to be involved from a creative standpoint, he could help overhaul Katana in a big way.
3. Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey wasn't exactly a box office hit, but the title character still has a devoted fanbase, and it's obviously going to be exciting seeing what James Gunn does with her next year.
While her solo movie (because, let's face it, it wasn't really about the Birds of Prey) did a lot right, there's room for improvement, and a TV series might be a better fit for Harley than a feature now. Her animated series certainly gets a lot of love, so perhaps Gunn could tell a story with the Joker's former beau, this time set directly in the world of Task Force X and Amanda Waller?
A mission of her own - with a few new and familiar faces at her side - could be a blast, particularly if it were to finally explore Harley's relationship with Poison Ivy in a live-action setting.
2. Captain Boomerang
In many ways, Jai Courtney's Captain Boomerang was a highlight in 2016's Suicide Squad, and while the movie perhaps tried a little too hard to make him the DC Universe's Deadpool, he was riot.
With a leading role in The Suicide Squad as well, James Gunn has the clash to flesh this Flash foe out in some new and intriguing ways, with a TV series then picking up on those ideas. We saw him get caught by the Fastest Man Alive, but what if there's more to Boomer than just that?
There were certainly signs he has a conscience in the first instalment, and he may not be all bad. Whatever story this series tackled, taking this down a comedic route would likely be for the best. If Ezra Miller can be convinced to cameo for a rematch, then that would be a real bonus for fans!
1. Deadshot
Deadshot was supposed to be in The Suicide Squad, but Will Smith being busy elsewhere is what led to Bloodsport's introduction. It's a real shame too as it's obvious there was more to explore with dynamic he established with Harley Quinn over the course of the 2016 movie.
A TV series wouldn't necessarily have to head down that route, but Floyd Lawton is almost certainly still in Amanda Waller's custody and ready to be dispatched from his cell for a new mission.
Smith returning to the small screen would be a huge deal with HBO Max, and there are tonnes of comic book storylines James Gunn could borrow from to tell this story. Harley having a supporting role would be no bad thing either...so, how about a team-up series of some sort, instead?